Everyone uses the word 'stress', but few of us understand what it is. Stress is simply our response to the challenges, problems and changes that face us - our reaction to our stressors. In many ways, the more relaxed lifestyle experienced by our ancestors no longer exists. Our lifestyles have changed, but our bodies haven't. This results in a large portion of our population feeling tired and stressed.

WHAT ARE THEY?

The adrenal glands, small but mighty, sit above the kidneys, where they play a vital role in the body's handling of stress. They secrete more than 50 hormones necessary for life, including adrenaline, cortisol, DHEA, pro-gesterone and testosterone. Since they produce so many essential hormones, the adrenal glands are responsible for many of the functions we need to stay alive and healthy, especially when we are stressed. These include:

Energy production - the conversion of carbohydrates, protein and fat to blood glucose for energy.

Balancing fluid and electrolyte levels as well as blood sugar, blood pressure and fat storage.

They control the strength of the immune system by the production of cortisol. Excessive cortisol weakens the immune system, setting in motion increased susceptibility to infections and cancer, while too little leads to an overactive immune system, allergies and autoimmune disease.

They also work with other hormones and systems like an orchestra. When one part of this orchestra drops out, such as what happens after menopause for women and andropause for men, the adrenal glands have to pick up the slack by producing larger amounts of sex hormones.

Unfortunately, the health of your adrenal glands is threatened. As the manufacturer of adrenaline, they are the 'glands of stress', but are also the first glands to fail during prolonged or intense periods of stress.

ADRENAL FATIGUE

Some people call nervous exhaustion a 'nervous breakdown'. However, the nerves don't usually break down - the adrenal glands do. A nervous breakdown is actually adrenal fatigue, or when the adrenal glands can't deal with the amount of stress they're given.

Adrenal fatigue used to be rare, but is now all too common because of our lack of relaxation and other lifestyle factors, such as smoking, sleep deprivation, poor eating habits and excessive caffeine intake, as well as allergies.

DIAGNOSIS

Doctors often don't diagnose this problem. They are only taught to look for extreme adrenal malfunction - Addison's disease, which occurs when the glands produce little or no cortisol; and Cushing's syndrome, which stems from excessive cortisol production. They check your adrenal function by special blood tests.

This is where the problem occurs. The blood test can still be normal while your adrenal glands are functioning well below normal and the rest of your body is experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Yet most mainstream physicians won't recognise that you have a problem.

SYMPTOMS

Fortunately, there are ways you can test yourself for adrenal fatigue. To start, look for these symptoms.

Morning fatigue - You don't really seem to 'wake up' until 10 a.m. and have afternoon lows (feelings of sleepiness or clouded thinking) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Burst of energy at 6:00 p.m. - You finally feel better from your afternoon lull.

Sleepiness from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. - However, you resist going to sleep and get a 'second wind' at 11:00 p.m. that lasts until about 1:00 a.m. when you finally go to sleep.

Cravings for foods high in salt and fat.

Increased PMS or menopausal symptoms.

Mild depression and lack of energy.

Decreased ability to handle stress and muscular weakness.

Increased allergies and immune system problems.

Light-headedness when getting up from a sitting or prostrate position.

Decreased sex drive and frequent sighing.

In addition to noticing these symptoms in yourself, you can objectively check for adrenal fatigue by:

1) Taking your blood pressure while sitting down. Then, stand up and immediately take your blood pressure again. Your systolic (first) number should have raised 8mm to 10mm. If it dropped, you probably have adrenal fatigue.

2) Applying pressure over your adrenal glands. The area located just above your kidneys in the loin area. Persistent tenderness over that area suggests adrenal fatigue.

TREATMENT

Optimal adrenal health is very important to the enjoyment of life. If you have adrenal fatigue, you can still fully live life again by making the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes to treat your disorder.

Treating adrenal fatigue involves:

Taking mini breaks during your workday. Lie down for 15-30 minutes, preferably at 10:00 a.m. and again any time from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Sleeping until 9:00 a.m. as often as is possible.

Laughing, having fun and exercising regularly.

Minimising stress and taking negative people out of your life.

Eating regular meals, chewing well and avoiding junk food. Eat five to six servings of vegetables each day and combine complex carbohydrates with protein and oils. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates.

Supplements are very important. I also suggest additional vitamin C - 2,000mg to 5,000mg, calcium and magnesium, natural vitamin E and B-complex.

The Chinese herbs ginseng and schizandra are excellent stress modulators as well as the South American herb guarana. These are locally available in tablet or tea form.

If you make the commitment and take your treatment plan seriously, you can expect your adrenal fatigue problem to resolve in six to 24 months, depending on the severity of your condition. There is no quick fix, as the body needs time to repair and heal.

Next week, we will talk about another important gland that is affected by stress - the thyroid.

Email Dr. Anthony Vendryes at vendryes@mac.com, visit the website www.anounceofprevention.org, or listen to 'An Ounce of Prevention' on Power 106 FM on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.